Trailer boat



Nov- 10, 1925- 1,560,983

B. H. GIBBS ET AL TRAILER BOAT Filed May 12. 1924 2 Sheets-Shoat l Patented Nov. 10, 1925.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

i BENJAMIN H. GIBBS AN D CHARLES V. STEWART, OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA.

, TRAILER BOAT.

Application filed May 12, 1924. Serial No. 712,868.

A further object of the invention is the 1 provision of a boat of this'character which is collapsible and capable of convenient transportation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a boat of this character which may be readily collapsed and utilized for carrying numerous articles when operating as a trailer.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a boat o-fthis character which is comparatively simple in construction, yet durable, and etficientfor' the purpose intended. Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a'plan view of thedevice in folded position, I

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,- Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed section showing the means for tightly closing the sections,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device in open position, v

Figure 5 1s a vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the device in collapsed position.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of our invention, the numeral 10 generally denotes a boatof the flat bottom type composed of two sections denoted by the numerals 11 and 12. The sections are al1 e'd openings somewhat curved to provide more eflicient rlding ability and enable the boat to travel more easily through the water.

The rear or stern section 11 has an inwardly curved gunwale extension 13 formed about the inner side and adapted to be employed as a rack for supporting the front section 12 when the same is folded over the rear section, The usual seat member 14 is secured transverselyin the rear section below the gunwale extension 13. Secured at the extremity of the rear section 11 transversely across the same is a partition or bulk head 15.

The front section 12 is provided, with a s milar bulk head 16 adapted to be positioned against the bulk head 15 in the open posltlon of the boat. Sea-t members 17 and 18 are also secured in the front section 12 for the convenience of the occupants. The front and rear sections are hingedly connected by means of a longitudinal hinge 19 extending along the. upper edge and conl I nected-to the transverse. bulk heads 15 and 16, thus enabling'the front section to-be swung over and positioned upon the rear section, As it is desirable to secure the sections firmly together to prevent move ment thereof and retain the boat as a rigid hull the adjoining sides of the sections 11 and 12 have co-acting hasps 20 and 21 secured thereto, the hasps comprising fastening plates 22 and, 23 and extension sleeves 24 and 25, the hasps being so constructed as to cause the projecting sleeves upon one to engage the recesses in the other in the open position of the hull, thus enabling the insertien of a longitudinal rod or ,pin through the in the sleeve to securely the same in position.

The inner edges of theextension gunwale or rack 13 have concave ooves formed therein a rubber strip 26 being securely posltioned upon the upper side of the grooves to receive the front section. The gunwale ofthe front section is beveled and carries'a rubber strip 27 thus forming a: substantially convex sur ace engaging the concave groove formed in the rear section to form a tight fitting connection when the sections are collapsed or folded.

.' In order to'securely fasten the sections in emplo ed comprising a 'U-sha d swinging bolt pivotally mounted upon t e front section and a retaining hasp 30' pivotally mounted upon the rear section and automatically locking the bolt in the downward position. We do not however wish to limit the application of these articular fastening devices, as any suitable ocking means may be employed to securely fasten the sections. It is to be noted that the rear extremity or stern plate of the rear section has a V-shaped groove 31 formed therein enabling the stem to fit snugly thereon in the closed position.

In order to. permit transportation of the device upon land we provide an axle 32 the central portion being square in cross section as shown and secured transversely across the rear section by means of brackets 33. A pair of wheels are rotatably mountedupon the extremities of the axle 32 and are pro- .vided with pneumatic tires 34 upon the rims thereof.

In use, the device may be employed to carry bagga e or other articles which may be positione in the rear section, the front.

section being swung over and positioned on the .rear section. The locking devices are then firmly secured and prevent access of dirt, water or other matter within the collapsed structure. The device is then secured to the rear of an automobile or other vehicle and may be readily drawn over the land. When it is desirable to employ the device as 'a conveyance onwater the front section 12 is swung inthe open position and the side hasps secured by means of a sliding bolt or rod forming a rigid structure.

It is to bs understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the. preferred example'of the same, and that various changes. as to the shape, size andar'rangement of parts may beresorted to withopt departing from the spirit of'the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. Acombined trailer and boat comprising a boat shaped body composed of a pair of sections, partitions mounted within the extremities of the said sections, hinge means secured to the upper extremities of the partitions to permit folding of the sections, se-

comprising a pair of sections forming a boat in the open position, partitions located at the connecting extremities of the said sections, a hinge mounted upon the upper portions'of the partitions to permit swinging of the sections, hasps mounted upon the sides of the sections to rigidly secure the same in the open position, an extension gunwale formed in the rear section, a rubber strip mounted upon the inner ed e of the extension gunwale, a V-shape' groove being formed in the stern plate of the rear section, arubber strip secured upon the gunwale of the front section, fastening devices mounted upon the sections to securely fasten same in the folded position, and a wheel supporting I axle secured to the bottom of the rear section.

In testimony whereof, we have affixed our signatures.

BENJAMIN H. GIBBS. CHARLES V. STEWART. 

